Vrata
Sandhyadip Vrata
This vrata, of lighting a lamp at dusk and worshipping the deity, is an ancient observance among women of Vaishnava homes in Bengal. Kept by lighting a lamp in the evening in honour of the goddess Shashthi and, in Vaishnava families, of the Lord, the Kartik-month evening lamp is a tradition of Bengal's winter evenings.
Rules
At dusk, after bathing, ghee or oil lamps are lit at the doors and windows of the house together; the vrata concludes with obeisance and incense offered to the deity. There is no compulsory fast, though many observe it keeping a vegetarian regimen until evening.
Benefits
Devotees believe this vrata brings light and wards off misfortune — the lamp's glow brings purity and well-being to the home, and the goddess Shashthi is prayed to for the protection of children.